Rugby FAQ

Sevens is rugby played with seven players a side on a full-size field, in two short halves. It's fast, wide-open, and built around running, passing, and finding space — a great entry point to the sport, and the version played at the Olympics.

Rugby is a full-contact team sport played with an oval ball on a grass field. Think of it like a combination of football and soccer, but without pads or helmets. Two teams of 7 (or 10 or 15) players compete to score points by carrying, passing, and kicking the ball to get it into the opposing team's try zone (and touch it down!).

Rugby has a role for every body type and skill set. Bigger, physical players thrive as forwards, competing for possession in scrums and lineouts. Faster, more agile players play as backs, using speed and open-field vision to score. Most positions require both.

Every player runs with the ball. Every player passes. Every player tackles. The players call the plays and make the decisions on the field — not the coaches from the sideline.

Our program is open to high school aged girls (under 19 years old) from any school -- public, private, charter, or homeschool.

No! Almost all of our players are brand new to rugby. Sevens is quick to learn and practices teach the game from the ground up — skills, fitness, and safe contact, step by step.

Yes — this is for high school girls under 19 years old.

Rugby is a very affordable sport to play. Costs include a player registration / membership fee (which carries the league's insurance) and a few pieces of personal gear (mouthguard, cleats, socks, shorts, practice jersey). Financial assistance is available. We never want cost to prevent a student from playing.

A mouthguard and soccer (or similar) cleats. The player's registration fee includes socks, rugby shorts, a practice jersey, and a team t-shirt. Rugby is played without pads or helmets — proper technique, not equipment, is what keeps players safe. The team provides the match jerseys.

Practices are at Waterfall Field, Reynolda Village (Wake Forest University), on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Practice times TBD). The season runs August–October 2026, and the first practice is Monday, August 24, 2026.

We practice 3 times per week and practices will be finished in 2 hours or less. We compete in 3 single day, state-wide tournaments. In 2025 they were in Statesville, Southern Pines, and Fayetteville. 2026 locations not yet finalized. We will also play a couple of pre-season scrimmages.

Rugby is a contact sport and, like any sport, carries a risk of injury. That said, contact in rugby is very controlled.

1. The only time you can hit another player is when they have the ball or the ball is between you. You never get hit when you are not expecting it.
2. You must wrap up every time you go into contact (tackle, ruck, and maul!). None of the sportscenter-style, "slam your shoulder into them," football tackles. It is a very controlled maneuver.
3. All contact is below the line of the shoulder. If you hit someone higher than that, it is a penalty. This is very strictly enforced. If it is extremely high then you are given a yellow card and go into the sin-bin (out of the game for 2 minutes and the team is not allowed to replace you).

We follow USA Rugby concussion protocols. Any player with a suspected concussion is removed from play immediately and must complete the required return-to-play steps before returning. Parents and players also review concussion-education materials as part of official registration.

Head Coach Doug Porter is USA Rugby Level 300 certified and has 24 years of collegiate coaching experience. All coaches are required to complete SafeSport training and pass a background check. The club is affiliated with NC Youth Rugby / USA Rugby.

Start with our quick interest form on the Join the Team page. We'll follow up with the official USA Rugby / NC Youth Rugby registration, which must be completed before her first practice — that registration is what provides her insurance coverage. [REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON]

New players are welcome to join at any point in the season.

Plenty of ways! Game-day support, transportation, team snacks, photos, local sponsorship, etc, etc, etc. If you'd like to pitch in, email info@WinstonSalemRugby.org.

Yes! Rugby has a strong collegiate and club pathway, with hundreds of universities competing. Many universities field women's teams — some with scholarships. Starting now is a great way to open that door.